2011

This year I served as secretary of the Belen ART League, continued to curate the Photography Room at the Belen ART League Gallery & Gifts, continued to design all the league's event flyers and created the first graphically designed newsletter for the league. Oh, and I kept my work on exhibit at the gallery too.

I ran into a group of the Mansion Players, the local theater group, at the library and jumped at the chance to be their Set Decorator and Prop Master.

Belen ART League Valentine Tea

February 13thBelen ART League Gallery & GiftsBelen, New Mexico

This was the first time I actually attended the tea event. I had intended to document the event before, but something always got in the way. As secretary I felt it was part of my job. It was a hectic time since we had just had our official transition into office.

The tea didn't sell out but all in attendance had a most enjoyable time. We gained a new member who is a chocolatier and he donated a bouquet of chocolate roses for a raffle prize.

Film & Media Day

February 16thSanta Fe, New Mexico

Another great awareness event for the New Mexico film industry. This year it was combined with an extras casting call for The Avengers. Wardrobe had costumed characters walking around and showed off some award winning costumes from "Into the West" in the big tent. Grip equipment was demonstrated and there was a Special Effects Make-up team doing ghoulish make-up on some of the attendees. The green filmmaking movement was giving out information from their tent and Craft Services came through with delicious burgers again. Interesting people and lots of fun.

Belen ART League Miniature Show

April 2nd - 16thBelen ART League Gallery & GiftsBelen, New Mexico

Mansion PlayersOnce Avon a Time

April 25th & 26thLos Lunas, New Mexico

One day when I was at the library I overheard these people talking about scripts, casting and props. I had to ask what they were talking about. It turns out they were part of the Mansion Players. I told them I was a set dresser and they invited me to join them to help with their performance events since the actors had to dress the sets and run props themselves.

They were preparing a skit and had two performances lined up. The first one was at the Los Lunas Senior Center and the second was at the Jubilee Club House in Los Lunas.

They had most of their props and set dressing but needed a real phone, which I had in my set dressing collection. They also needed a Prop Master. Here's a shot that shows most of the characters, and my prop phone during the Jubilee event.

Belen ART League Spring Show

May 7th - 28thHarvey House MuseumBelen, New Mexico

Belen ART League Summer Art Camp

June 13th - 24thBelen ART League Gallery & GiftsBelen, New Mexico

Belen ART League Photography Show

July 16th - 30thBelen ART League Gallery & GiftsBelen, New Mexico

Sam's Sinister Story at the SODA SaloonSchool of Dreams AcademyMansion Players

August 11thDuncan Memorial BuildingLos Lunas, New Mexico

The Mansion Players worked with the School of Dreams Academy drama students to create a diner theater event. It was a funny, interactive, western murder mystery. We took over the Duncan Memorial Building and turned it sideways for better viewing. Checkered tablecloths, barbecue and miniature haystacks set the mood (see photo to right). I surprised the cast with wanted posters, of each of them, at the entry as an introduction to their characters. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the performance and participated in figuring out "who done it". The night was a roaring success.

Belen Festival of LightsBelen ART League Gallery & GiftsOpen House

November 24thBelen ART League Gallery & GiftsBelen, New Mexico

The Littlest Angel & The Trial of SantaMansion Players

December 9thFirst United Methodist Church of BelenBelen, New Mexico

December 10th & 11thBelen Public LibraryBelen, New Mexico

December 18thLos Lunas Transportation CenterLos Lunas, New Mexico

December 19thLos Lunas High SchoolLos Lunas, New Mexico

The flyer lists three plays, but Outsourcing Christmas was dropped due to rehearsal time. This flyer was created by Mansion Player Writer Nancy Strickland. I served as Set Dresser and Prop Master for these events. They were great fun to do and the audiences loved them. Los Lunas High School gave us the opportunity to use a real stage in a proper theater.